Hemp Hearts

I stumbled upon Hemp Hearts while walking through Costco.  The bright orange-e-yellow (is that a color??) bag caught my eye.  At the top of the bag, words called out to me "Omega 3 and Omega 6".  That definitely grabbed my curiosity by the collar!  I stopped and grabbed a bag to examine it further.  P.S. Kudos to you, marketing genius of Manitoba Harvest!  Somewhat skeptical, I flipped the bag over, sure I would find something wrong with it.  Carbs? 3g  HAH!...oh wait....there is also 3g fiber so really 0g net carbs.  Fats?  13g...thats good.  Protein? 10g...not bad.  Funky ingredients added in I can't pronounce?  NOPE...just one ingredient...RAW SHELLED HEMP SEEDS.

I was smitten!  I HAD to find a way to use these!!  Through the power of modern technology, I whipped out my smartphone and found a couple of recipe ideas (an "oatmeal" of sorts and a cookie recipe).  Excited, I tossed the orange-e-yellow bag into the cart.

"What in the world are hemp hearts?"
In short...hemp hearts are hulled (or shelled) hemp seeds.  Yes, the seeds of the hemp plant...basically the same plant marijuana comes from.  No, they are not marijuana, and no, they will not make you high.  If you came here for that, you are barking up the wrong plant (BUT, I do have a cookie recipe for you below).

Back to this amazing hulled beauty.  I have since done some more research on hemp hearts and their amazing properties.  I have not been able to truly find anything wrong with them!  They contain a good balance of amino acids, proteins, essential fats, and vitamins.  They are literally loaded with nutrition!  They have NO glycemic load, and are suitable for those with sensitivities to nuts, gluten and/or lactose.  AND due the high protein, they can also be used as a meat substitute.

Body Ecology (click to read article) has done a thorough post/write-up about hemp seeds for those wanting to know more.

"Ok, you convinced me.  Where can I buy them?"
 They may be available at a Costco/Sam's Club.  You can usually find them at health food stores, OR you can find them on Amazon (link in My MAD Pantry to the ones I use).

"Now what do I do with them?"
Healthy for the whole family, hemp hearts can be used in many ways.  They are completely edible in their raw form, so can be sprinkled on salads, yogurt, or just simply eaten out of the bag.  Raw, they have a unique nutty flavor and are a bit chewy.  Their texture is similar to that of finely chopped walnuts (or other softer nut).  Evan's favorite ways to enjoy hemp hearts are sprinkled on his Fluff, as an "oatmeal"(recipe below), and as a cookie.  Honestly, our whole family enjoys the cookies...even my 9 year old has requested them.  "Go for it, buddy!"  He thinks he is getting a cookie, and I know he is getting a super nutritious snack!

 The hemp heart/chia seed cookies go a little something like this:

The cookies are especially versatile in that they can be used for any occasion where a cookie may be needed.  Ok, lets face it, cookies are always needed....but these simple after dinner treats can become something special when you add in a cookie cutter or two!!  Think hearts for Valentine's day, evergreen trees at Christmas time, etc.  I even concocted a M.A.D. friendly icing using coconut oil...but that is still in the development phase.

I have found it important to be sure the dry ingredients are all mixed well first, and that you squash as many coconut flour lumps as possible.  Once you add the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly becomes a challenge and if you didn't mix well, then your cookies may develop pockets of super flavor (holy cinnamon, Batman!!).  For a good, evenly flavored cookie, this is an essential step.

Dry ingredients, mixed

Before you add in the wet ingredients, be sure the coconut oil is COMPLETELY melted...that means no little white lumps of any kind left.  The oil should be basically clear.  After the wet ingredients are added and mixed in, you will notice that the coconut flour quickly absorbs most of the actual liquid, making the dough a bit flaky while at the same time still a bit gooey due to the coconut oil.

Flaky and gooey "dough" ready to be formed into cookies

Now its time to get down to business!  Be sure to take your rings off before this next step.  Things are about to get a bit messy.  On the plus-side (and with cookies there should always be a plus side) the coconut oil is great for your skin.  Roll the dough into 12 (basically) equal balls, place them on the parchment-lined cookie sheet and gently squish them into cookies.  The edges will break a bit, but you just have to lovingly smoosh them back into place.  The shape you smoosh them into is the shape they will remain.  With this recipe, they will not rise, expand, or anything like that.  They will stay the way you put them (unlike the throw blankets I keep folding and placing on the couch).

The Christmas cutouts we made using this recipe after baking.

You know they are done when the timer you set for a short 15 minutes dings.  They only very slightly change in the way they look (may or may not become slightly more golden), so do not wait for a sign other than "DING!".  Doing so could result in smoke alarms going off.  Maybe I do speak from experience, maybe not.  My secret is safe with me.

After they have cooled a bit on the parchment/cookie sheet, they are ready for hungry tummies to enjoy!!

___________________________________________________________

Evan's Hemp and Chia Cookies:

This is a recipe from Thrive Style that I have slightly altered to use the hemp hearts (instead of seeds with the hull on), Stevia drops, and make them a bit more to Evan's taste.

• 1/2 c. hemp hearts
• 1/4 c. chia seeds
• 1/4 c. coconut flour
• 1 1/2 rounded teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 rounded teaspoon ground ginger (dry)
• 1/8 rounded teaspoon sea salt (white, black, pink...any will do!)
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 c. coconut oil - MELTED (very important!)
• 10 drops liquid Stevia (or to taste)
• 1/2 c. finely shredded coconut (optional)

Mix hemp hearts, chia seeds, coconut flour, cinnamon, ginger &sea salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl.  If adding in the shredded coconut, add that to the dry ingredients as well.  Add in eggs, coconut oil, and stevia drops and mix thoroughly.  Form into 12 balls (about 1") and place onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Press the balls into the shape/thickness you want them to end up.  With this recipe, they will not rise, expand, or anything like that.  They will stay the way you put them.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let mostly cool on the cookie sheet to reabsorb some of the fat/oil goodness that may have leaked from the cookie.

Net Carbs (without optional coconut):  11.2g for FULL BATCH of dough
(for a 12-cookie batch, that is a mere .93g per delicious cookie!)

___________________________________________________________

Evan's M.A.D. Oatmeal:

• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• Pure Stevia drops (I use about 5 drops)
• Cinnamon (I use about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon)
• Heavy Cream (a splash or two)
• 1 egg - beaten (optional)

Put hemp hearts and chia seeds in cereal bowl.  Fill with enough water to not quite cover the seeds.  Let sit for about 2 minutes to let the chia seeds start to activate. If adding the egg, add that to this mixture.  Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.  Egg should be cooked, and most water absorbed/evaporated.  Fluff with a fork.  Add in cinnamon to taste, the "splash or two" of heavy cream to loosen it all up a bit and help cool it down for young mouths, and the Stevia drops (again...to taste).  Mix well and serve.

Net Carbs:  0g without egg;  .5g (less than 1) with 1 egg

Evan's Plate...A Simple Sunday

Today has been one of those Sunday's where I just didn't feel like making anything complicated for any meal.  Rather, the sunshine and blue sky were calling us outside to play.  SO... Evan's meals have been a bit boring by most standards.  But...wanna know the funny thing???  HE doesn't think so!!  When I told him what I made him for dinner...he pumped his fist and said "YES!!!"

His breakfast:
1 egg omelet-style filled with some cream cheese.  SO quick and easy!!  

Of course such a meal doesn't fill a kid for long...so he had a snack of 10 almonds followed by 10 pistachios and a 0g carb cheese stick.

His lunch:
Keto-Nachos - basically nachos, but with MAD friendly ingredients.  I admit...perhaps I was wanting nachos and an excuse to eat them for a meal.  For Evan, I used pork rinds instead of chips, then we build on from there.  Co-jack cheese, 0g carb pork sausage mixed with ground beef (80/20 for the fat for my little man), topped with some diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream (full fat baby!!) and a bit of salsa.

His dinner:
1 egg omelet-style filled with some cream cheese (ringing a bell??) and pork sausage, a side salad and some dipping veggies with a Ranch dressing I just can't get enough of!  AND...some fluff for desert.

Evan's plate

BUT...back to the Ranch Dressing!!!  This ranch is AWESOME!!  Most of the ingredients for the dry mix many of us have in our pantry...and, once you have that, it is a SNAP to mix up a batch of this herby, creamy, deliciousness!  I found the recipe on Pinterest.  Yes, My name is Andrea, and I'm a Pinterest addict.  ("Hi Andrea!").  I cannot claim any stake in this recipe...I just make it, and love it, and make some more, and love it some more.

**NOTE:  When the ranch herb mix is mixed with the mayo & sour cream, there will be a carb count due to the sour cream, so be sure to take that into account.

ALSO...the recipe includes a "make your own mayo" recipe that uses honey.  I opt for the easy route and just use store-bought mayo, but if you want to give making your own mayo a try...be sure to replace the honey with stevia as there is a ton of sugar/carbs in honey.

To give credit where credit is definitely due, here is the link to the brilliant person who developed this amazing gift of ranch-y flavor:

http://www.healthstartsinthekitchen.com/2014/10/07/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/

Fluff and M.A.D. Milk Recipes

As I was heading out to the bus with Evan this morning, he had a request for me.  He wanted me to make him more "fluff".  Fluff was one of our first sweet treat, simple recipes that has been a frequent flyer in our fridge.  It is super versatile, and while they think they are getting desert, you know they are actually getting the fat and some other nutrients they really need.  The downside...my older son, Ryan, will sometimes complain if Evan gets fluff after dinner.  "How come I don't get desert??".  Sugar is not a staple in our house and isn't usually allowed on school nights for Ryan.  I have explained to him that, for Evan, this isn't truly desert...its something he needs, and remind him of that conversation whenever he gets the "how come"'s.

__________________________________________________________________

Evan's Fluff:

-16 oz heavy whipping cream (the heaviest you can find...we usually have 40% on hand)

-Liquid Stevia Drops (about 10-15 drops will usually do, but you can adjust as needed)

-Vanilla Extract

Put it all in a high-speed blender (Blendtec, VitaMix, etc) and mix the crap out of it until it stiffens up into a whipped cream.  You could use a hand mixer as well.  This is basically whipped cream without the sugar.  Can eat a serving immediately, but must refrigerate or this becomes a melty mess!  This recipe makes about 5-6 Evan servings.

Some Fluff variation ideas:

-Use flavored stevia drops.
-Add in a few fresh (or frozen) berries.  We have used the berry stevia drops and also add in literally just a few berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries...whatever) and leave out the vanilla. BUT...there are lots of other flavors to try different combinations.  The possibilities are endless!

-Add in 100% cacao powder (really check that there is nothing else added).  Put in about a teaspoon to make chocolate fluff.  With this, I usually omit the vanilla.
-Add a few chopped nuts on top for a bit of crunch and pizazz!!

-I also usually add powdered calcium supplement to this to help him get a bit more calcium in his diet (as per his dietician).

___________________________________________________________________

M.A.D. "Milk":

In a cup, one part heavy whipping cream and one part almond milk (or approximately).  Add in 2-3 drops stevia and a bit of water to help thin it to a more milk-like consistency.  Evan drinks this like a CHAMP with a straw...but of course then doesn't get the cute milk moustache.

 **Note...Almond milk does have a carb count, so be aware.

M.A.D. Milk Moustaches are the BEST!

Celebrity Epilepsy

I have run across from time to time a celebrity that has had, or does have epilepsy.  Today I decided to actually google it and see what turned up.  I encourage you to google it...you would be surprised how many lists of people came up!!  Danny Glover (actor) has epilepsy.  He experienced his first seizure at about 15 years old.  Ronde & Tiki Barber (football twins) had epilepsy as kids.  Hugo Weaving (actor) of the Matrix Trilogy and Lord of the Rings (think Lord Elrond) has epilepsy.  The lead singer of Evanescence, Amy Lee, has epilepsy.  Teddy Roosevelt, Napoleon Bonepart, Charles Dickens, Edward Snowden...the list goes on.  Even Prince (formerly known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" who has apparently gone back to being just Prince) had epilepsy as a child and even wrote a song about it called "The Sacrifice of Victor".

This may not be important to some...but to me, it is.  Whether wrong or right, it just is.  To me, it is a living graphic that epilepsy does not define a person.  A child's potential does not disappear with this diagnosis.  Sure, life may be different, but even life itself is about adapting and overcoming!  Where there is a will, there is a way...and our kids will find a way to become who they are meant to be.

Welcome to M.A.D. About Childhood Epilepsy

Please explore the different pages to get to know us and our story.  My vision is for this to be a place where other parents can find some comfort in knowing they are not alone.  A place where curiosity is encouraged.  A place of sharing.  But not just for parents!  I also hope people who want to know more about our journey, about childhood epilepsy, or M.A.D. are curious enough to explore here.  Really, anyone!  No exclusions!  I am by NO means an expert on epilepsy.  I am not a doctor or neurologist or nutritionist.  I am simply a mom trying to be an expert on my son's epilepsy and on what helps him best, but I am constantly learning, tweaking, adjusting.

Evan was 2 1/2 when he was diagnosed with Epilepsy.  He is now 6 1/2.  He is lively, growing, learning, and doing pretty darn well if I do say so myself (but I may be biased).

Evan in Nov. 2010 when diagnosed.

A couple years ago we became curious about the different Ketogenic diets after not being satisfied with the seizure "control" (rather a lack of!) with the meds he had been on.  After seeing how affected he was by the first medication (learning was definitely stunted and affected...see "Our Epilepsy Story"), we were NOT interested in introducing more medications if not absolutely necessary.  You can read more about our M.A.D. journey in the above tab, "Our M.A.D. Story".  We have come to a place of relative balance with his medication, the Modified Atkins Diet (for seizure control), and naturopathic medicine.  He does still have seizures, but they are not nearly as severe as they once were.  AND he is healthy, happy, and developing like crazy...which all mommies love to see!  He enjoys riding his bike, taking swimming lessons, and being as normal of a kid as he can be.  Of course, our rule for both our kids has always been, "if you are playing on or riding something with wheels...HELMET!", and we have taken some precautions with his swimming lessons as well.  We are fortunate in the fact that (so far!) he has some pretty tell-tale signs when going into a seizure, and he does not (so far!) experience drop seizures.

A happy (ok, cheesy!) 6 year old Evan

Comments and questions are ALWAYS welcome!
If you are new to this journey...please know, you are NOT alone!

Stay strong, stay curious, stay informed, stay connected, and stay supported.